Mobile internet suspended for several hours in Kashmir

Srinagar: Mobile internet services of all cellular companies were suspended in Kashmir valley for several hours for security reasons, during the Republic Day celebrations across the country.

However, broadband and fix-line internet were working normally in the valley, where high speed internet services have remained suspended since August 5, 2019, when the Centre abrogated Article 370 and Article 35 A.

Official sources said that mobile internet of all cellular companies, including Bharat Sanchar Nigham Limited (BSNL), were suspended as a precautionary measure on Tuesday morning in Kashmir. “The services were later restored in the evening after RD celebrations were over in the district and tehsil headquarters in the valley, including Srinagar, where the main function was held at S K Cricket Stadium,” they said.

Suspension of internet and mobile phone services on Republic Day and Independence Day have been part of the security drill in Kashmir since 2005, when militants had detonated Improvised Explosive Device (IED) using mobile phone.

But, from some time now only mobile internet services have been snapped in the valley on Republic Day as the main function of the Union Territory is held in Jammu, which is the winter capital of Jammu and Kashmir.